Route advertisement and entertainment system with AI function

This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 18/297,349, filed Apr. 7, 2023, which is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 17/864,621, filed on Jul. 14, 2022, which is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 16/297,857, filed on Mar. 11, 2019, now U.S. Pat. No. 11,392,988, issued Jul. 19, 2022, which claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 62/640,840, filed Mar. 9, 2018, the disclosures of which are hereby incorporated entirely herein by reference.

This invention relates to advertisements and entertainment in a vehicle, and specifically to a system for providing targeted advertisements and/or entertainment within a ride share vehicle.

In large cities and the like, the utilization of ride share services to travel between locations is commonly utilized. This is particularly true in cities with very high density where driving is difficult and/or expensive or where parking is limited. It is common to utilize other forms of transportation. One very common form of transportation is ride share services. However, ride share services do not provide for advertisement and/or entertainment within the ride share vehicle.

Accordingly, there is a need in the field of ride share services to provide a system for targeted advertisement and/or entertainment to the passenger of the ride share service.

The disclosed invention relates to a route advertisement/entertainment system for use in a ride share vehicle, the system comprising: a server having a memory storing user data, user content preferences and advertisement/entertainment data; a business computing device located within a ride share vehicle, the business computing device coupled to the server, wherein the server is programmed to: receive a signal from a ride share driver device, the signal including user data of the passenger that has been picked up and an indication that a ride to a destination has been initiated; establish a connection with the business computing device in response to receiving the signal from the ride share driver device and send for display on the business computing device an interactive user interface with a request to engage with the system during travel to the destination; receive a signal from the business computing device indicating a positive acknowledgment to engage with system; in response to receiving the positive acknowledgment, automatically access and process user content preferences corresponding to the user data and send for display on the business computing device an interactive user interface with a request to view content corresponding to the user content preferences and/or the destination; and in response to receiving a positive acknowledgment to view the content, automatically send, for display on the business computing device, content from advertisement/entertainment data associated with the content corresponding to the user content preferences and the destination.

Another embodiment includes a route advertisement/entertainment system for use in a ride share vehicle, the system comprising: a server having a memory storing user data, user content preferences and advertisement/entertainment data, the advertisement/entertainment data being in a form of contest games information; a business computing device located within a ride share vehicle, the business computing device coupled to the server, wherein the server is programmed to: receive a signal from a ride share driver device, the signal including user data of the passenger that has been picked up and an indication that a ride to a destination has been initiated; establish a connection with the business computing device in response to receiving the signal from the ride share driver device and send for display on the business computing device an interactive user interface with a request to engage with the system to play a contest game during travel to the destination; receive a signal from the business computing device indicating a positive acknowledgment to engage with system to play the contest game; in response to receiving the positive acknowledgment, automatically access and process user content preferences corresponding to the user data and send for display on the business computing device an interactive user interface with a request to select one of a plurality of selectable game elements, each element corresponding to a different game; and in response to receiving a positive acknowledgment of selecting one of the selectable game elements, automatically send, for display on the business computing device, a game for play on the business computer device; and in response to passenger winning the game through the business computing device sending for display on the business computing device an acknowledgment of winning and automatically applying credits to the user, wherein credits are exchangeable for goods and/or services.

The foregoing and other features and advantages of the invention will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art from the following more particular description of the invention and the accompanying drawings.

As discussed above, embodiments of the present invention relate to system for providing targeted advertisements and/or entertainment within a ride share vehicle. The system may be an interactive system that engages the passenger/rider with a business computing device located within the ride share vehicle. The system may include the use of a mobile application operating on a business computing device that may be a mobile computing device like a smartphone, a tablet, a wearable, and the like; and/or the system may operate on any type of computing device as a downloadable application or even as a web application.

1 FIG. 10 10 12 14 12 14 12 14 depicts an embodiment of a route advertisement/entertainment system. The systemmay include a business computing devicesthat is coupled to a server. This coupling may be a network connection, such as a wireless connection, a Wi-Fi connection, a Bluetooth connection or the like, wherein the business computing devicemay communicate with and receive communication from the server. The business computing devicemay include a tablet, a smartphone, wearable devices and the like. The server, in some embodiments, may be a computer server or a cloud-based infrastructure architecture.

14 14 20 2 FIG. The servermay include a memory storing user data and advertisement/entertainment data. The memory of the servermay store user data, such as a username, a password, and profile information associated with the user's ride share profile and may also store user content preferences of the user, such as entertainment preferences, interested subjects/topics and so forth. It may also store advertisement/entertainment data such as, but not limited to, entertainment content, advertisement content and so forth. An embodiment is shown in, wherein a user, utilizing a user computing device, operates a ride share app to enter content preferences. The content preferences may include various topics, such as, without limitation, news, sports, destination information, playing games, podcasts and the like.

16 16 16 14 16 10 The servermay be coupled to the Internetthrough a network connection similar to those described above. The connection to the Internetallows the serverto utilize the Internetfor obtaining information that may be utilized as part of the system.

3 16 FIGS.- 3 FIG. 3 FIG. 10 20 10 14 14 12 12 10 12 10 12 14 Referring to, the operation of the systemis depicted. A user may utilize a user computing deviceoperating a ride share app to request a ride and select a ride share driver operating a ride share vehicle. The systemmay operate once the ride share vehicle picks up the user as a passenger. The servermay be programmed to receive a signal from a ride share driver device, the signal including user data of the passenger that has been picked up and an indication that a ride to a destination has been initiated. The servermay then establish a connection with the business computing devicein response to receiving the signal from the ride share driver device and send for display on the business computing devicean interactive user interface with a request to engage with the systemduring travel to the destination, as shown in. The business computing deviceindepicts a route to the destination, displays the estimated time to the destination (i.e. 20 minutes to the stadium) and a request to the passenger if the passenger wishes to engage with the system. The passenger may then select “yes” (a positive acknowledgment) or “no” (a negative acknowledgment). If the user selects “yes”, the business computing devicesends a signal that indicates a positive acknowledgment to the server.

14 12 10 12 12 14 12 4 FIG. 4 FIG. 5 FIG. The servermay be programmed to receive the signal from the business computing deviceindicating a positive acknowledgment to engage with system, and, in response to receiving the positive acknowledgment, automatically access and process user content preferences corresponding to the user data and send for display on the business computing devicean interactive user interface with a request to view content corresponding to the user content preferences and/or the destination, as shown in. The business computing deviceindepicts the route, but may not need to depict the route, and also requests whether the passenger wishes to watch the pregame. This is an example of the server sending a request to watch content (pregame) based on the user content preferences (sports info) and destination (stadium). In at least this way, the advertisement/entertainment content is targeted to the passenger based on the passenger content preferences and destination. Then, in response to receiving a positive acknowledgment to view the content, the serverautomatically sends, for display on the business computing device, content from advertisement/entertainment data associated with the content corresponding to the user content preferences and the destination, depicted inas video of the pregame show for the game at the stadium (destination of the passenger).

6 7 FIGS.and 6 FIG. 7 FIG. 8 8 FIGS.A andB 8 FIG.A 8 FIG.A 8 FIG.B 14 FIG. 12 14 12 10 As shown in, the advertisement/entertainment data sent to the business computing devicefor display from the servermay be an advertisement for a business near the destination. For example, in, as the passenger is going to the stadium, the targeted advertisement may be for food near the stadium in the form of an advertisement for a Sports Grill with a coupon associated with the business. The same is shown in, but an advertisement and coupon for the Team Shop as the stadium. The passenger may select to clip coupon or to save the coupon in some fashion. This places the coupons in the user data for the ride share app and profile of the passenger. As shown in, the coupons that are clipped or other wise stored using the business computing deviceof the systemare accessible on the user computing device. There may be a database stored of coupons as shown in. The selection of the coupon inmay then depict a bar code and the terms of the coupon as shown in. In another embodiment, shown in, the advertisement and coupons may be for national or large brands or businesses that are targeted to the passenger based on the user content preferences of the passenger.

10 12 12 14 12 9 10 FIGS.and 9 FIG. 9 FIG. 9 FIG. 10 FIG. In another example of operation of the systemis depicted in. In response to receiving the positive acknowledgment, automatically access and process user content preferences corresponding to the user data and send for display on the business computing devicean interactive user interface with a request to view content corresponding to the user content preferences and/or the destination, as shown in. The business computing deviceindepicts the route, but may not need to depict the route, and also requests whether the passenger wishes to meditate on the trip to the office. This is an example of the server sending a request to watch content (meditation) based on the user content preferences (work/business) and destination (office) in the form of time. In this example, the server may send a request for content base on the estimated time to reach the destination, an example of which is shown inwith the request of “Meditation for 10 minutes?” when the destination is an estimated 11 minutes away. In at least this way, the advertisement/entertainment content is targeted to the passenger based on the passenger content preferences and destination. Then, in response to receiving a positive acknowledgment to view the content, the serverautomatically sends, for display on the business computing device, content from advertisement/entertainment data associated with the content corresponding to the user content preferences and the destination, depicted inas video or other graphical visual interface imploring the passenger to mediate.

10 12 12 14 12 14 12 10 11 13 FIGS.- 11 FIG. 11 FIG. 11 FIG. 12 FIG. 13 FIG. In another example of operation of the systemis depicted in. In response to receiving the positive acknowledgment, automatically access and process user content preferences corresponding to the user data and send for display on the business computing devicean interactive user interface with a request to view content corresponding to the user content preferences and/or the destination, as shown in. The business computing deviceindepicts the route, but may not need to depict the route, and also requests whether the passenger wishes to play a game on the trip to the airport. This is an example of the server sending a request to engage in content (game) based on the user content preferences (game play) and destination (airport) in the form of time. In this example, the server may send a request for content base on the estimated time to reach the destination, an example of which is shown inby selecting a game that can be completed within the time to the destination. In at least this way, the advertisement/entertainment content is targeted to the passenger based on the passenger content preferences and destination. Then, in response to receiving a positive acknowledgment to view the content, the serverautomatically sends, for display on the business computing device, content from advertisement/entertainment data associated with the content corresponding to the user content preferences and the destination, depicted inas second request to select the type of game, again based on the user content preferences (such as poker, black jack, hearts or any other game that can be played). The serverthen sends for display on the business computing devicethe selected game, depicted as black jack in. It will be understood, that the systemmay operate, in some embodiments, to play a game that is a real time game where the other players are other ride share passengers. In this embodiments, the server may connect players that are requesting the same game and have approximately the same amount of time or enough time to complete the game before any of the passengers that are players reach their destination.

10 12 12 14 14 10 14 12 14 12 15 16 FIGS.and 15 FIG. 15 FIG. 16 FIG. In another example of operation of the systemis depicted in. In response to receiving the positive acknowledgment, automatically access and process user content preferences corresponding to the user data and send for display on the business computing devicean interactive user interface with a request to view content corresponding to the user content preferences and/or the destination, as shown in. The business computing deviceindepicts the route, but may not need to depict the route, and also sends a request based on the destination, wherein the request, the serveris seeking for additional information to determine the advertisement/entertainment content. In this example, the destination is the zoo, which is a common destination for children, and so the serversends a request seeking more information in the form of a yes/no question, such as, but not limited to, “Do you have a child with you?” in at least this way, the systemis a smart system and targets content based on the passengers and destination. Then, in response to receiving a positive acknowledgment to view the content, the serverautomatically sends, for display on the business computing device, content from advertisement/entertainment data associated with the content corresponding to the user content preferences, additional information entered by the passenger (i.e. yes there is a child with the passenger) and the destination (zoo), depicted inas second request to select the type of children's content, such as, without limitation, watch a kid's show or view animal information (since the destination is the zoo). The serverthen sends for display on the business computing devicethe selected content (not shown).

1 17 36 FIGS.and- 1 FIG. 10 10 10 10 12 14 12 14 12 14 With reference to, another embodiment of systemmay operate to establish a contest game that can be played utilizing the system. The system includes the components as described inof a route advertisement/entertainment system. The systemmay include a business computing devicesthat is coupled to a server. This coupling may be a network connection, such as a wireless connection, a Wi-Fi connection, a Bluetooth connection or the like, wherein the business computing devicemay communicate with and receive communication from the server. The business computing devicemay include a tablet, a smartphone, wearable devices and the like. The server, in some embodiments, may be a computer server or a cloud-based infrastructure architecture.

14 14 12 The servermay include a memory storing user data and advertisement/entertainment data. The memory of the servermay store user data, such as a username, a password, and profile information associated with the user's ride share profile and may also store user content preferences of the user, such as entertainment preferences, interested subjects/topics and so forth. It may also store advertisement/entertainment data such as, but not limited to, entertainment content, advertisement content and so forth, wherein the entertainment content and the advertisement content are in a form of contest games content that may be played by a user through the business computing device.

16 16 16 14 16 10 The servermay be coupled to the Internetthrough a network connection similar to those described above. The connection to the Internetallows the serverto utilize the Internetfor obtaining information that may be utilized as part of the system.

17 23 FIGS.- 17 FIG. 17 FIG. 10 20 10 14 14 12 12 10 12 10 12 14 Referring to, the operation of the systemis depicted. A user may utilize a user computing deviceoperating a ride share app to request a ride and select a ride share driver operating a ride share vehicle. The systemmay operate once the ride share vehicle picks up the user as a passenger. The servermay be programmed to receive a signal from a ride share driver device, the signal including user data of the passenger that has been picked up and an indication that a ride to a destination has been initiated. The servermay then establish a connection with the business computing devicein response to receiving the signal from the ride share driver device and send for display on the business computing devicean interactive user interface with a request to engage with the systemduring travel to the destination, as shown in. The business computing deviceinmay display a greeting identifying the rider, the estimated time to the destination (i.e. 20 minutes to the casino) and a request to the passenger if the passenger wishes to engage with the systemby playing a game. The passenger may then select “play” (a positive acknowledgment) or nothing (a negative acknowledgment). If the user selects “play”, the business computing devicesends a signal that indicates a positive acknowledgment to the server.

14 12 10 12 14 12 14 12 10 18 FIG.A 18 FIG.B 18 FIG.C The servermay be programmed to receive the signal from the business computing deviceindicating a positive acknowledgment to engage with system, and, in response to receiving the positive acknowledgment, automatically access and process user content preferences corresponding to the user data and send for display on the business computing devicean interactive user interface with a request to play a contest game “For Fun” or “Gaming”, as shown in. Then, in response to receiving a positive acknowledgment to play “For Fun”, the servermay automatically send, for display on the business computing device, a “For Fun” user interface explaining that the contest game is played for credits that are added to the passenger's account, as shown in. Alternatively, in response to receiving a positive acknowledgment to play “Gaming”, the servermay automatically send, for display on the business computing device, a “Gaming” user interface explaining that the contest game may include wagers that are automatically added to the fare of the ride, as shown in. In embodiments, the systemmay operate to limit the amounts of wagers that can be made utilizing the system or utilize other means to ensure that the payment method or methods stored on the ride share profile of the passenger can cover the wagers that may be made utilizing the system. The system operates essentially the same whether the contest game is “For Fun” or “Gaming,” with the exception of making wagers, and therefore this disclosure will focus on the “For Fun” aspect with an understanding that game play and features discussed may be utilized in a “Gaming” fashion requiring bets and so forth as part of the play.

14 12 12 12 12 14 19 FIG. 19 FIG. 20 FIG. The servermay be further programmed to, in response to receiving the positive acknowledgment of a “For Fun” contest game, automatically access and process user content preferences corresponding to the user data and send for display on the business computing devicean interactive user interface with one or more contest games that can be played on the business computing devicebased on the user content preferences and that can be completed within the time of travel to the destination in the ride share vehicle, as shown in. Each of the one or more contest games may be a selectable element that may be selected by the passenger utilizing the business computing device. For example, and without limitation, some of the selectable elements with contest games displayed may include, black jack, hold em, poker, stud, hearts, mahjong and any other type of game that can be played. In response to receiving an input from the business computing deviceof the selectable element associated with contest game (i.e. selecting “Black Jack” as shown in), the servermay be programmed to send for display and game play the selected contest game, as shown in.

12 14 12 10 20 20 14 20 14 20 10 14 10 20 FIG. 21 FIG. 22 FIG. 22 FIG. 17 23 FIGS.- The passenger may then play the contest game utilizing the business computing device, such as black jack as shown in. In response to the passenger winning the game, the servermay be programmed to send for display on the business computing devicea user interface indicating the passenger won, as shown in. The user interface indicating the passenger won may depict the credits earned for winning that game, and may also depict the credit balance that passenger has stored in his or her account. This allows a passenger to play a game utilizing the systemwithout the need of utilizing the passenger's own mobile device. However, since the credits are stored on the passenger's account, the passenger may at any time during or after the ride utilize his or her user computing deviceto cash-in credits, as shown in. The passenger may operate a ride share app with the user computing deviceto cash in the credits stored in the account and the servermay send for display on the user computing device, options for cashing in credits that are associated with the destination of the ride share vehicle, which is the destination of the passenger. For example, if the passenger selects to cash-in credits as shown in, the serverreceives this signal to cash-in credits and automatically sends for display on the user computing devicerecommended cash-in options corresponding to the destination and/or the user content preferences. If the destination is a casino as shown in, the recommended cash-in options may be selectable elements corresponding to the casino, such as “Casino Credit,” “Room Credit,” and “Restaurant Credit.” It is understood that these are just a few options corresponding to a casino, and that the systemoperates with programming operated by the serverto tailor the recommendations based on the destination and the systemis not limited to the depicted options. Selection of one of the selectable elements allows the passenger to cash-in credits for the selected option. It is also understood that, while not shown, the user may select an amount of the passenger's credit balance to cash-in for the selected option, thereby allowing the passenger to cash-in for multiple items or to cash-in only a portion and retain the remainder of the credit stored in his or her account.

10 14 12 14 14 14 20 24 36 FIGS.- 24 28 FIGS.- 24 FIG. 17 20 FIGS.- 25 FIG. 25 FIG. 26 FIG. 27 FIG. Operation of the systemfor contest games may include other variations as shown in. For example, the game may include a sponsor for the games and the credits are for that specific business that sponsors the game. An example is depicted in, wherein the sponsor is XYZ Casino. The sponsor may be the business that is located at the address of the ride share destination. In this example, as shown in, the sponsor is XYZ Casino. The passenger may select and play a game contest as discussed with respect toand in response to winning, the servermay send for display on the business computing device, a user interface indicating the passenger won, as shown in. The user interface may depict the amount of credits won for XYZ Casino and the credit balance for XYZ Casino. The user interface may also include a selectable element to “Cash-in Credit” as shown in. A signal may be sent to the serverin response to selection of the “Cash-in Credit” selectable element, and the server, in response to receiving the signal, may send a request to confirm whether the passenger wishes to cash-in the sponsor credit (XYZ Casino Credit) as depicted in. The passenger may select a positive acknowledgment (“yes”) or a negative acknowledgement (“no”), wherein the selection results in cashing in credit as previously depicted, or, the servermay send a code, such as a QR code to scan with a user computing deviceto cash-in credits, as shown in.

14 14 12 28 FIG. In some embodiments, the servermay be programmed to, in response to a positive acknowledgment to cash-in credit, send predetermined prizes that may be selected. These prizes may correspond to the user preferences, the destination or both. For example, as shown in, selectable elements may be on an interactive user interface sent by the serverto the business computing device, where each selectable element is associated with a prize. For example, and without limitation, the prize may be sending flowers, 2 hrs at a fun golf location, 1 hr spa session and so forth.

10 14 12 10 12 10 12 14 14 12 10 29 30 FIGS.- 29 FIG. 29 FIG. 17 20 FIGS.- 30 FIG. 30 FIG. In other embodiments, the systemmay operate to provide advertisement capabilities to the locations in which the passenger is travelling. For example,depict such an embodiment. In this embodiment, the serveris programmed to send for display on the business computing devicean interactive user interface with a request to engage with the systemduring travel to the destination, as shown in. The business computing deviceinmay display a greeting identifying the rider, the estimated time to the destination (i.e. 20 minutes to Steakhouse) and a request to the passenger if the passenger wishes to engage with the systemby playing a game provided by the business at the destination (i.e. the Steakhouse). The passenger may then select “play” (a positive acknowledgment) or nothing (a negative acknowledgment). If the user selects “play”, the business computing devicesends a signal that indicates a positive acknowledgment to the server. The passenger may select and play a game contest as discussed with respect toand in response to winning, the servermay send for display on the business computing device, a user interface indicating the passenger won, as shown in, along with identifying a prize that has been won, such as, but not limited to, a coupon for the business at the destination (“Free Appetizer at Steakhouse” as shown in). The prize may be automatically loaded to the passenger's account. In this embodiment, the contest game is directed by the business that the passenger is travelling to. The business, in some embodiments, may engage with the systemand establish odds of winning the game to be beneficial to the business, such as improving odds if the business traffic is low, and decreasing odds if the business traffic high, or for any other reason that the business wishes to adjust the odds.

31 32 FIGS.and 31 FIG. 14 In other embodiments, the system may be played as previously discussed, with individual hands being sponsored by other businesses as a form of advertising. For example, and without limitation,depict a hand sponsored by a business (“XYZ Auto”). In some embodiments, the earned credits may be doubled during the hand or other types of prizes for winning may be provided by the sponsoring business. As shown in, the sponsoring business is doubling the credits that can be won. Once the contest game is won by the passenger, the servermay be programmed to send for display an interactive user interface that depicts the credits won by the passenger along with advertising that the sponsoring business is the entity to thank for the double credits and further a selectable element to allow the passenger to select to view something offered from the sponsoring business, such as the example of “Click to learn more about XYZ Supercar.”

33 36 FIGS.- 33 FIG. 34 FIG. 14 12 10 33 12 10 12 14 14 14 12 10 12 14 In some embodiments, as shown in, multiple riders in a ride share may engage and play the contest game. For example, the servermay be programmed to send for display on the business computing devicean interactive user interface with a request to engage with the systemduring travel to the destination, as shown in FIG.. The business computing deviceinmay display a greeting identifying the rider, the estimated time to the destination (i.e. 20 minutes to the Hotel) and a request to the passenger if the passenger wishes to engage with the systemby playing a game. The passenger may then select “play” (a positive acknowledgment) or nothing (a negative acknowledgment). If the user selects “play”, the business computing devicesends a signal that indicates a positive acknowledgment to the server. The servermay be programmed to determine the number of passengers based on the ride share information an the requested number of riders that the passenger indicated. The servermay then be programmed to send an interactive user interface to the business computing devicedepicting a request to the passenger indicating that another rider is present and requesting if both passengers wish to engage with the systemthrough a contest game, as shown in. The passenger may then select “yes” (a positive acknowledgment) or “no” (a negative acknowledgment). If the user selects “yes”, the business computing devicesends a signal that indicates a positive acknowledgment to the server.

35 FIG. 36 FIG. 14 12 12 12 12 Referring to, the servemay be programmed, in response to receiving the positive acknowledgment of more than one player, to send for display on the business computing device, a scannable code allowing the rider to scan the code with his or her user computing deviceand be joined to the game, playing the game with his or her phone, while the named passenger plays on the business computing device. In another embodiment, as shown in, the positive acknowledgment of more than one player will engage more than one business computing deviceoperating within the ride share vehicle to play a game. In at least these ways, more than one rider in a ride share may engage in the system to play a contest game.

As will be appreciated by one skilled in the art, aspects of the present invention may be embodied as a system, method, or computer program product. Accordingly, aspects of the present invention may take the form of an entirely hardware embodiment, an entirely software embodiment (including firmware, resident software, micro-code, etc.) or an embodiment combining software and hardware aspects that may all generally be referred to herein as a “circuit,” “module” or “system.” Furthermore, aspects of the present invention may take the form of a computer program product embodied in one or more computer readable medium(s) having computer readable program code embodied thereon.

Any combination of one or more computer readable medium(s) may be utilized. The computer readable medium may be a computer readable signal medium or a computer readable storage medium. A computer readable storage medium may be, for example, but not limited to, an electronic, magnetic, optical, electromagnetic, infrared, or semiconductor system, apparatus, or device, or any suitable combination of the foregoing. More specific examples (a non-exhaustive list) of the computer readable storage medium would include the following: an electrical connection having one or more wires, a portable computer diskette, a hard disk, a random access memory (RAM), a read-only memory (ROM), an erasable programmable read-only memory (EPROM or Flash memory), an optical fiber, a portable compact disc read-only memory (CD-ROM), an optical storage device, a magnetic storage device, or any suitable combination of the foregoing. In the context of this document, a computer readable storage medium may be any tangible medium that can contain or store a program for use by or in connection with an instruction execution system, apparatus, or device.

A computer readable signal medium may include a propagated data signal with computer readable program code embodied therein, for example, in baseband or as part of a carrier wave. Such a propagated signal may take any of a variety of forms, including, but not limited to, electro-magnetic, optical, or any suitable combination thereof. A computer readable signal medium may be any computer readable medium that is not a computer readable storage medium and that can communicate, propagate, or transport a program for use by or in connection with an instruction execution system, apparatus, or device.

Program code embodied on a computer readable medium may be transmitted using any appropriate medium, including but not limited to wireless, wire-line, optical fiber cable, RF, etc., or any suitable combination of the foregoing.

Computer program code for carrying out operations for aspects of the present invention may be written in any combination of one or more programming languages, including an object-oriented programming language such as Java, Smalltalk, C++ or the like and conventional procedural programming languages, such as the “C” programming language or similar programming languages. The program code may execute entirely on the user's computer, partly on the user's computer, as a stand-alone software package, partly on the user's computer and partly on a remote computer or entirely on the remote computer or server. In the latter scenario, the remote computer may be connected to the user's computer through any type of network, including a local area network (LAN) or a wide area network (WAN), or the connection may be made to an external computer (for example, through the Internet using an Internet Service Provider).

Aspects of the present invention are described herein with reference to flowchart illustrations and/or block diagrams of methods, apparatus (systems) and computer program products according to embodiments of the invention. It will be understood that each block of the flowchart illustrations and/or block diagrams, and combinations of blocks in the flowchart illustrations and/or block diagrams, can be implemented by computer program instructions. These computer program instructions may be provided to a processor of a general-purpose computer, special purpose computer, or other programmable data processing apparatus to produce a machine, such that the instructions, which execute via the processor of the computer or other programmable data processing apparatus, create means for implementing the functions/acts specified in the flowchart and/or block diagram block or blocks.

These computer program instructions may also be stored in a computer readable medium that can direct a computer, other programmable data processing apparatus, or other devices to function in a particular manner, such that the instructions stored in the computer readable medium produce an article of manufacture including instructions which implement the function/act specified in the flowchart and/or block diagram block or blocks.

The computer program instructions may also be loaded onto a computer, other programmable data processing apparatus, cloud-based infrastructure architecture, or other devices to cause a series of operational steps to be performed on the computer, other programmable apparatus or other devices to produce a computer implemented process such that the instructions which execute on the computer or other programmable apparatus provide processes for implementing the functions/acts specified in the flowchart and/or block diagram block or blocks.

The flowchart and block diagrams in the Figures illustrate the architecture, functionality, and operation of possible implementations of systems, methods and computer program products according to various embodiments of the present invention. In this regard, each block in the flowchart or block diagrams may represent a module, segment, or portion of code, which comprises one or more executable instructions for implementing the specified logical function(s). It should also be noted that, in some alternative implementations, the functions noted in the block may occur out of the order noted in the figures. For example, two blocks shown in succession may, in fact, be executed substantially concurrently, or the blocks may sometimes be executed in the reverse order, depending upon the functionality involved. It will also be noted that each block of the block diagrams and/or flowchart illustration, and combinations of blocks in the block diagrams and/or flowchart illustration, can be implemented by special purpose hardware-based systems that perform the specified functions or acts, or combinations of special purpose hardware and computer instructions.

The embodiments and examples set forth herein were presented in order to best explain the present invention and its practical application and to thereby enable those of ordinary skill in the art to make and use the invention. However, those of ordinary skill in the art will recognize that the foregoing description and examples have been presented for the purposes of illustration and example only. The description as set forth is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise form disclosed. Many modifications and variations are possible in light of the teachings above without departing from the spirit and scope of the forthcoming claims.